Mahama is sacrificing to contest, Ghanaians must thank him – Nii Lante

Member of Parliament for Odododio Constituency, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, believes Ghanaians owe former President John Dramani Mahama a debt of gratitude, following his decision to contest the NDC’s presidential primaries, and subsequently vie for the presidency for the second time.

“Ghanaians should be grateful to Mahama for deciding to sacrifice his peace, his international exposure, all the comfort to do this,” he said.

The former President in announcing his interest to run again for the high office, forwarded a letter of intent to the NDC, to contest the party’s primary expected to take place in December 2018. The announcement has been met with mixed reactions, with members of the NDC, in particular, backing him firmly.

But critics of the decision are of the view that since Mahama has gone through the structures of the political ladder, his experience will be more beneficial now as a statesman and not a President.

Speaking on Citi TV/ Cit FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue, the NDC MP, who’s among the 94 MPs backing Mahama, however, rubbished these concerns, saying President Mahama is contesting to complete some infrastructural projects he started while in power.

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“I think John Mahama has reflected a lot. This country has benefited him and done a lot for him, and since he did not complete the agenda he set himself for Ghana, this is an opportunity.”

Support from Regional Chairmen, MPs

The 10 Regional Chairmen of the NDC also backed the candidature of Mr. Mahama for election 2020 before he had even made an announcement.

The 10 regional chairman, after a meeting at the time, issued a communique in which they urged the former President to consider running for the 2020 polls.

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Ninety-four NDC MPs out of the Minority Caucus of 106 also endorsed Mr. Mahama as the flagbearer for the 2020 polls prior to his announcement.

The list of the MPs backing him was made public after he made his intention to contest public.

The 94 MPs welcomed the decision and promised to support Mahama’s campaign.

A statement from the MPs said: “As Members of Parliament, we would like to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama for hearkening to the cries of our Constituents which we presented to him when we met him four (4) months ago. Our Constituents had one simple message – President Mahama should avail himself to the people of Ghana to salvage the sinking ship under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.